Abstract The Notch signaling pathway is a key regulator of the intestinal epithelium, playing a fundamental role in stem cell maintenance, progenitor cell proliferation, and cell fate determination. Notch controls…
Abstract The intestine is the central tissue for digestion and absorption of nutrients. Moreover, the intestine provides tight functional barrier from the vast commensal bacteria that reside in the intestinal…
Abstract The intestine is a complex organ that has evolved to maximize the luminal surface area for the purpose of absorbing nutrients. The epithelial lining of the intestine must maintain…
Abstract Gastrointestinal (GI) tissues express a multitude of growth factors, broadly defined as naturally occurring polypeptides that elicit cellular growth, proliferation, or differentiation following binding to surface membrane receptors. In…
Abstract Gut peptides are key signaling molecules for the feedback control of gastrointestinal function and the coordination of central and peripheral responses to nutrient ingestion. Peptides are implicated in roles…
Abstract This chapter covers the broad field of transcription and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms to equip the gastrointestinal physiologist with the tools to understand gene expression. This chapter reviews the composition…
BACKGROUND Print Section Listen The spleen was regarded by Galen as “an organ of mystery,” by Aristotle as unnecessary, and by Pliny as an organ that might hinder the speed…
OVERVIEW Print Section Listen Hepatic metastases to the liver are significantly more common than primary liver malignancy and comprise approximately 90% of hepatic malignancies. Each year, approximately 140,000 new cases…
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Portal hypertension (PHTN) can occur in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients and can be classified as presinusoidal or prehepatic (extrahepatic or intrahepatic), sinusoidal or hepatic, or post-sinusoidal…
INTRODUCTION Print Section Listen Benign conditions of the intrahepatic or extrahepatic bile ducts can range from focal or diffuse dilatations (choledochal cyst) to obstructive strictures of the biliary tree. Historically,…
